Federal or State.
You Have Rights.
We'll Help You Use Them.
Whether your loved one is in a federal BOP facility or a state prison, the law requires them to exhaust the grievance process before going to court — and the stakes for getting it wrong are the same. Our team handles every step, every deadline, and every form, for both systems.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Enter the date of the incident or complaint. We\'ll tell you exactly how much time you have.
Federal BOP and all 50 state DOC systems covered
Federal cases require 4 steps before going to court
Some state deadlines are as short as 10 days
We track every deadline — not one missed
What We Do Differently
Every BP-10 & BP-11
sent via certified mail with return receipt — the #1 reason pro-se filings get rejected is missing proof of delivery.
Zero missed deadlines
We track every step for every active case. You get a reminder 5 days out, 2 days out, and the morning of.
60+ years combined
Our team includes formerly incarcerated advocates and former BOP staff who've worked this process from both sides.
All 50 states covered
Federal BOP and every state DOC system. State deadlines can be as short as 10 days — we know every one.
No Other Service Has Both Perspectives.
Our team includes people who have been inside federal and state prisons and people who have run grievance systems from the inside — in both BOP and state DOC facilities. That combination is unique, and it's the foundation of everything we do.
We’ve Been Inside.
Several members of our team are formerly incarcerated individuals who personally navigated the administrative remedy process — and experienced firsthand the roadblocks, the retaliation, the missing forms, and the frustration of a system designed to wear you down.
We know what it feels like to have a legitimate complaint and no idea how to make it count. That’s exactly why we built this service.
We’ve Run the System.
Other members of our team are former Bureau of Prisons administrators and staff who processed grievances, trained staff on the remedy process, and understand exactly how decisions are made — and how complaints are buried — at every level of the BOP.
We know the internal policies, the unwritten rules, and the pressure points that move cases forward. That institutional knowledge is now working for you.
No other service can offer you both perspectives.
We know how the system works from the inside — and we know every trick used to bury complaints. That’s your advantage.
Meet Our Full TeamRecognized & Referenced By
The System Tries to Stop You.
We Know Every Move It Makes.
Many prisons try to block complaints before they go anywhere. Forms disappear. Staff say they can't help. Deadlines get messed with. People get threatened for speaking up. These things really happen — and they happen on purpose.
Our team has seen it from both sides. We know every trick — and we know exactly how to stop it from hurting your case.
Forms Withheld
Staff say they don't have the forms you need. This is a trick to make your deadline run out before you can file. We know how to get around it.
Papers Go Missing
You file your complaint and it disappears. No record. No receipt. Like it never happened. We send everything certified mail so there's always proof.
Threats & Retaliation
Some staff threaten inmates who file complaints. They may move your housing or your job. This is illegal. We document it and report it.
Fake Rejections
Your complaint gets turned down for reasons that aren't even real rules. They hope you'll give up. We know BOP policy inside and out — we push back.
Records Blocked
You ask for the incident report or medical records and nothing comes. Your deadline passes. We know how to get the records you need in time.
Staff Corruption
The same staff involved in your complaint are the ones handling your grievance. That's a conflict of interest. We escalate it to outside oversight agencies.
We Handle Every Roadblock So You Don't Have To
When you join, you get a full team in your corner. We know every trick in the book — because we've seen them from both sides. We build paper trails that can't be ignored. We report corruption to the right agencies. We make sure your complaint gets where it needs to go.
What Is the Administrative Remedy Process?
Whether your loved one is in a federal BOP facility or a state prison, the law is the same: before anyone can take a complaint to court, they must first exhaust the prison's internal grievance process. This is called the Administrative Remedy Process — and it applies to every prisoner in America under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
In the federal system (BOP), that means four specific steps — BP-8 through BP-11 — with strict 20-day deadlines at each stage. In state systems, the steps and deadlines vary by state: Texas gives you just 15 days, Georgia only 10. The process looks different, but the stakes are identical.
Miss a deadline by even one day, skip a step, or use the wrong form — and a judge can throw out your entire case. That's true whether you're in a federal penitentiary or a state correctional facility. And that's before you factor in the roadblocks prisons throw at you on purpose.
Families Can Help
You don't have to be inside to help. Family members on the outside can manage the entire process on behalf of their loved one.
How the Federal Process Works, Step by Step
Federal prisoners must complete all four steps in order before a court will hear their case. Each step has a strict deadline. State prisoners follow a similar multi-step process — see our state guides for your state's specific forms and deadlines.
Talk to Your Counselor
The first step is an informal conversation with your unit counselor. Think of it as giving the facility a chance to fix the problem before it becomes a formal complaint.
Write to the Warden
If the counselor doesn't resolve the issue, you submit a written formal complaint to the Warden. This is where your case gets an official tracking number in the BOP system.
Appeal to the Region
Still not resolved? You send your appeal to the Regional Director's office. This step requires sending multiple copies and using certified mail — details that trip up many people.
Final Appeal to Washington
The last step before you can go to court. You appeal to the BOP's Central Office in Washington, D.C. Once this is complete, you've done everything the law requires.
What Happens When Something Goes Wrong
Every year, thousands of prisoners — in federal and state facilities alike — lose their cases in court not because their complaints weren't valid, but because of paperwork mistakes or institutional roadblocks. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Your Case Gets Thrown Out
If you miss a step or a deadline, a judge can dismiss your case. That means starting over — if you even still have time. This is the most common reason cases fail.
You Lose the Right to Sue
Wait too long and you may never be able to bring your complaint to court. Even if what happened to you was wrong. The deadline is the deadline.
All That Work for Nothing
Some families spend years on a case. Then one missed form throws it all out. The paperwork is just as important as what happened. We make sure it's done right.
REAL CASE EXAMPLE — U.S. Supreme Court, 2006
An inmate filed a grievance about his prison conditions, but submitted it one day after the deadline. The BOP rejected it as late. He went ahead and filed a lawsuit anyway, arguing that he had at least tried to go through the process. The Supreme Court disagreed — trying isn't enough. Because the grievance was filed late, the entire lawsuit was thrown out permanently.
One day late. A valid complaint. No day in court.
We Take the Burden Off Your Shoulders
We Fill Out Every Form for You
From the very first complaint all the way to the final appeal in Washington, D.C. — we prepare every form with the right words, the right attachments, and the right rules cited.
We Watch Every Deadline
Missing a deadline is the number one reason cases get thrown out. We keep a calendar for your case and make sure nothing is ever filed late. Not once.
We Keep Copies of Everything
We save a copy of every form filed and every response received. If you ever go to court, you'll have a complete paper trail ready to go.
We Fight Every Roadblock
If forms go missing, staff refuse to help, or someone tries to scare you into giving up — we document it, report it, and make sure it doesn't stop your case.
Here's What We Do for You
When you become a member, our team handles all of this — so you don't have to:
Families Just Like Yours
These are real stories, shared with permission. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. Every situation is different — but the feeling of not knowing what to do next is something many families share.
"My son had been complaining about his medical situation for months and nothing was happening. I had no idea there was a formal process we were supposed to be following the whole time. By the time I found Remedy Navigators, we had already missed some steps. They reviewed everything, explained what options we still had, and helped us file what we could. I finally felt like someone was in our corner."
A mother from Texas
Son incarcerated at a state facility in Texas
"The facility kept 'losing' my husband's BP-9 forms — twice. I didn't know that was even a thing that happened. Remedy Navigators told me exactly what to do: send everything certified mail, keep the receipts, and file a complaint with the OIG. Once we had a paper trail, the forms stopped going missing. Their team knew this playbook because they'd seen it from the inside."
A wife from Ohio
Husband incarcerated at a federal BOP facility in the Midwest
"We signed up before anything had even happened because a friend told us about how easy it is to mess up the process. When my brother did have an incident with a staff member, we were already enrolled and the team jumped on it immediately. Every deadline was met, every form was correct. I didn't have to stress about any of it — they handled everything."
A sister from Florida
Brother incarcerated at a state facility in Florida
Stories are anonymized and shared with permission. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
Educate. Empower.
Advocate.
We educate inmates and their families about the rights they still hold. We empower them with the knowledge, tools, and step-by-step guidance to resolve the problems they face inside — clearly, correctly, and on time. And when the system fails to listen, we advocate relentlessly — so no one's voice goes unheard.
A properly filed complaint has the best chance of being resolved right where it starts. But when the system fails — when complaints are ignored and court becomes the only option — our members walk in with everything they need. Every form filed. Every deadline met. Every step documented. A complete record that no judge can dismiss.
Answer 3 Questions
Tell us who you are, whether an incident has happened, and where you stand on deadlines. We'll point you to exactly what you need.
Calculate Your Deadlines
Enter the date of the incident and instantly see every filing deadline — from the first informal complaint all the way to the final appeal. Free, no sign-up required.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone.
We're Here to Help.
The clock starts the moment something happens. Deadlines are short. The process is confusing. And the prison may try to stop you. You don't have to figure it out alone. Our team is ready to step in, take over, and fight for you — every step of the way.
What Happens If You Don't File?
The administrative remedy process is not optional. Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a federal court cannot hear your case unless you have completed every step first.
Your Case Gets Dismissed
A judge has no choice but to dismiss a lawsuit if the plaintiff has not exhausted administrative remedies. It doesn't matter how valid the complaint is — the law requires every step to be completed first.
You Lose the Right to Sue
Once the statute of limitations expires, you permanently lose the ability to bring your complaint to federal court — even if you later complete the internal process. The window closes and does not reopen.
Years of Work Disappear
Some families spend years building a case, gathering evidence, and working with attorneys — only to have it thrown out because of one missed form or one late filing. The paperwork matters as much as the facts.
Founded by
Former BOP Staff
with 20+ years inside the system
Reviewed by
Civil Rights Attorneys
specializing in prisoners' rights
Trusted by
Families in 38 States
navigating the federal BOP system
Backed by
100% Satisfaction
or we'll review your case for free
Have a Question?
Ask Tara — Right Now.
Tara is our free AI assistant trained specifically on the federal administrative remedy process. She can answer your questions, explain each step, calculate your deadlines, and tell you exactly what to do next — in plain English or Spanish, 24/7.
What families ask Tara
Not Sure Where to Start?
The administrative remedy process can be overwhelming. Our specialists have helped hundreds of families navigate it successfully. Let us review your case — no obligation, no pressure.